City & Corporate: Freemans hires support

The agency is working on a project basis to support the firm through a
restructuring period that will lead to significant job losses among its
3,800 staff.

Biss, under its CEO and chairman Graham Lancaster, is providing internal
and external comms support, including national and local media relations
management and communication with other stakeholders during the
restructuring process.

The agency's public affairs arm, Apex, has also been brought in to
liaise with the local authorities that cover its four sites in Bradford,
Sheffield, Peterborough and London.

Lancaster said: 'Over the years we have been involved in a number of
these situations. Experience counts - there is no time to be on a
learning curve. You have to communicate professionally, clearly and
sensitively to people whose jobs may be affected, but people remaining
must also feel positive about the future of the business.'